Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, known in Japan as Naruto: Narutimate Storm (ＮＡＲＵＴＯ－ナルト－ナルティメットストーム, Naruto: Narutimetto Sutōmu) is the first installment of the Ultimate Ninja Storm series, it is a fighting game developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Bandai Namco Games. The game was released for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) across North America, Europe and Australasia in November 2008 and in Japan on January 15, 2009. It is based on the popular manga and anime series Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto, and the first installment of the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja series on the PS3.

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm
Developer(s)CyberConnect2
Publisher(s)Bandai Namco Games (Japan & Europe)
Namco Bandai Games (North America and Australia)
Composer(s)Chikayo Fukuda
Yasunori Ebina
SeriesNaruto: Ultimate Ninja
Platform(s)PlayStation 3
Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Nintendo Switch
Release
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

A sequel titled Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 was released in Japan, North America and Europe in October 2010 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[2] Two more sequels, Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 and Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 were released in 2013 and 2016 respectively.

Gameplay
See also: Gameplay and playable characters of Naruto: Ultimate Ninja

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm retains many of the gameplay elements from earlier installments of the Ultimate Ninja series. However, Ultimate Ninja Storm allows players to fight in three-dimensional environments, as opposed to the two-dimensional planes in previous games.[3]

One of the new features introduced to the series in Ultimate Ninja Storm is "Awakening Mode", a transformation that can be activated when a player loses a certain amount of health during a match. The health requirement for each character differs based on how powerful the transformation is. Once activated, the character gains new abilities, speed, and stronger attacks. A few of the characters in the game gain entirely new movesets after transforming. With the d-pad, players can use preset items during a match that either damage the opponent or provide various status effects like increasing attack power, or lowering the opponent's defense. Players are also able to customize their character's jutsu and select two support characters to use in a match. Returning to the game from previous installments is "jutsu clash" mode, which is initiated if both players activate their special attack at the same time. During this mode, both players have to press the corresponding button as fast as possible in order to knock away their opponent.[4] Each character has an "ultimate jutsu". If it hits, both players either input button commands, mash a certain button, or spin the analogue stick the fastest during the time limit. If the attacking player wins, the ultimate will hit, typically taking away around a third to a full bar of the opponent's health. If the defending player wins, they will escape without major damage. Each character also has an "ultimate impact", where if the player holds down the melee button, the character controlled will charge up a very powerful strike. If it hits, it zooms in on the opponent's face taking a heavy blow in a short, cinematic close-up.

The game includes 25 playable characters, each of which can also be used as a support character during battle.[3] Ten additional support-only characters are available as free downloadable content released over the five-month period that followed the game's release.[5] Additional downloadable content include alternative costumes, and new missions.[6]

The story mode loosely covers the events of the anime up to episode 135.[7] Players are able to explore the Hidden Leaf Village between missions, which acts as a central hub for the story mode, and access more missions.[6]

Development

The game was first unveiled in September 2007, under the code name Naruto PS3 Project. Namco Bandai said the title would start with "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja" and asked fans for suggestions on a suffix consisting of one or two words.[8] In April 2008 the game was officially named Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, in addition, the developers allowed fans to choose the final front cover for the game out of a possible six.[9]

The game features cel-shaded graphics that "will break the barrier between anime and video game".[10] Hiroshi Matsuyama, one of the creators of the game, commented that the staff wanted to try to remove the borderline between the anime and actual gameplay. They wanted to reach an effect where people actually look at the scenes as anime rather than a game. The core concept of the game is that of a one on one battle. Though the storyline from the game is based on the first 135 episodes of the anime series, the producers picked out key areas within the story, effectively forming a line from the first to the 135th episode.[7]

A playable demo of the game was released on Sony's PlayStation Network on July 17, 2008. Only Naruto Uzumaki and Kakashi Hatake were playable and only one stage was included.[11] The official North American release date of the game was confirmed in a trailer shown during the 2008 Tokyo Game Show.[12]

Releases

A limited edition version of Ultimate Ninja Storm was available to those who pre-order the game at select retailers. It includes a steel book case with an alternate art plastic slip cover, two exclusive cards for the Naruto collectible card game, a CD of the game's soundtrack, and an individually numbered "Laser Cel" depicting Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.[13] In Europe, the game was released on November 7, 2008, and in Australia on November 20, 2008. The Japanese version of the game was released on January 15, 2009 under the name of Naruto: Narutimate Storm (ＮＡＲＵＴＯ－ナルト－ナルティメットストーム, Naruto: Narutimetto Sutōmu).

A remastered version of the game was released in Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy alongside Ninja Storm 2 and 3 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows on August 25, 2017, and was released for Nintendo Switch on April 26, 2018.[14]

Reception
Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic75/100[15]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1Up.comB−[16]
GameRevolutionC[17]
GameSpot7.5/10[18]
GamesRadar+[19]
GameTrailers7.5/10[20]
GameZone8.5/10[21]
IGN8.4/10[22]
OPM (UK)5/10[23]
PSM[24]
X-Play[15]

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm received "generally positive" reception, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[15]

IGN gave the game an 8.4 out of 10, praising it for its "phenomenal visuals" and the variety of things that can be done between missions. It noted that the single-button combat might turn away hardcore gamers, but found the fast-paced action and chakra management system to be redeeming factors.[22] GameSpot gave the game a score of 7.5 out of ten saying it wasn't a bad game but it wasn't a great one either.[18] 1UP.com gave it a B− and praised the game's graphics, but commented that some parts of the game system have issues.[16]

As of July 2009, 83,868 units have been sold in Japan.[25] It was the only video game to win the Excellence Prize in the Entertainment Division of the 13th annual Japan Media Arts Festival.[26] As of 2016, the game has sold over two million copies.[27]

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gollark: They are becoming increasingly so.
gollark: Like most apple products.
gollark: It is stupidly locked down and unrepairable.
gollark: Unlike with apple.

References
  1. "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Release Information for PlayStation 3". GameFAQs. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  2. IGN Staff (December 18, 2009). "New Naruto for PS3 and Xbox 360". IGN. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  3. "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Official Web site". Namco Bandai. Retrieved July 15, 2008.
  4. Clements, Ryan (June 3, 2008). "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Hands-on". IGN. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  5. Cordeira, Jim (October 29, 2008). "Namco Bandai announces free downloadable content for Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm". Gaming Age. Archived from the original on November 2, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  6. Clements, Ryan (April 16, 2008). "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Preview". IGN. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  7. Antista, Chris (April 18, 2008). "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm (Interview)". GamesRadar. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  8. the_hokage (February 15, 2008). "The Hokage's Scroll: Help Name the Naruto PS3 Game!". hokagesroom. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  9. Yoon, Andrew (April 5, 2008). "Naruto PS3 game named, needs box art". Engadget (Joystiq). Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  10. "Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm - Namco Bandai Games America Inc". Namco Bandai. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
  11. Torres, Ricardo (June 27, 2008). "Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Hands-On - PS3 Demo, Graphics, and GamePlay". GameSpot. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  12. "TGS 2008: The Storm Trailer". IGN. October 7, 2008. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  13. IGN staff (September 18, 2008). "Namco Bandai Games America Reveals Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Limited Edition". IGN. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  14. Knezevic, Kevin. "Nintendo Switch Adds Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy Next Month". GameSpot. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  15. "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm for PlayStation 3". Metacritic. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  16. Li, Richard (November 6, 2008). "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Review". 1UP.com. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  17. Card, Ben (January 5, 2009). "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Review". Game Revolution. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  18. Calvert, Justin (November 10, 2008). "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Review". GameSpot. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  19. Kim, Alan (November 24, 2008). "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm review". GamesRadar. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  20. "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Review". GameTrailers. November 5, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  21. Romano, Natalie (November 6, 2008). "NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM - PS3 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 18, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  22. Clements, Ryan (October 31, 2008). "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Limited Edition Review". IGN. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  23. "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm". PlayStation Official Magazine: 103. February 2009.
  24. "Review: Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm". PlayStation: The Official Magazine: 74. December 25, 2008.
  25. "Sony PS3 Japanese Ranking". Japan Game Charts. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  26. "2009 13th Japan Media Arts Festival: List of Award-winning Works". Japan Media Arts Plaza. Archived from the original on February 9, 2010. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  27. Leone, Matt (29 March 2016). "20 years of CyberConnect2". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
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